There’s good news on the horizon for Bangladeshis looking to work abroad. Oman has agreed to bring in 10,000 workers from Bangladesh, split evenly between two sectors that badly need hands: agriculture and fisheries.
The announcement came on September 9 from Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, after talks with a visiting Omani delegation led by Al Sayyid Mohammed Salim Ali Al Said, a member of Oman’s royal family. The two sides have already signed an agreement, though plenty of the finer details still need to be worked out.
The Breakdown: 5,000 Farmers, 5,000 Fishermen
The plan calls for Oman to take on 5,000 agricultural workers and 5,000 fishermen from Bangladesh. It’s a meaningful move at a time when Dhaka has been working hard to open up more legal pathways for its citizens to work overseas, including for skilled professionals.
An Omani delegation is due to visit Bangladesh next month to sit down with the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and hammer out how the recruitment will actually work. Until then, nothing is finalized so anyone hoping to apply should hold off. Details like eligibility, salaries, contract terms, medical checks, and visa procedures are all still being ironed out.
Why This Matters
Oman used to be a go-to destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, but access has been tighter in recent years. Bangladesh has been quietly pushing to restore normal visa services and widen opportunities, especially for skilled workers like engineers, doctors, and nurses.
Earlier this year, the two countries had already been in talks about easing entry for those professionals, and Oman had signaled it might resume issuing fresh work visas. This new 10,000-worker deal builds on that momentum; it looks less like a one-off recruitment drive and more like the start of a broader reset in labour relations between the two countries.
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Farm Work Recruitment Already Underway
Interestingly, part of this may already be in motion. Back in August, Oman opened a recruitment window for 5,000 Bangladeshi farm workers, tied to registered agricultural associations there and aimed at plugging seasonal labour gaps. That could offer a preview of how the larger program might roll out, though officials haven’t spelled out the process for the full 10,000 positions yet.
Oman has also been cracking down on labour market compliance; its Ministry of Labour carried out thousands of inspections in the first half of 2026 alone, part of a wider push to tighten up employment regulation.
What Job Seekers Should Know
For Bangladeshi workers, this is a real shot at legal work abroad at a time when overseas job demand is high. But patience is key: don’t hand over money to agents or middlemen before official instructions are out. Once recruitment does open, it’s worth carefully reviewing contract terms wages, housing, hours, insurance, and the works.
Bangladesh’s emphasis on a regulated, transparent process is also worth noting. Done right, it could help cut down on the recruitment fees, scams, and exploitation that have plagued migrant labour in the past.
For now, think of this as a promising opportunity on the horizon, not something to apply for just yet. More clarity should come once the Omani delegation wraps up its visit to Bangladesh next month.
FAQ
How many workers is Oman recruiting?
10,000 total 5,000 in agriculture, 5,000 in fisheries.
When does recruitment start?
No firm date yet; details are expected after next month’s delegation visit.
Can I apply now?
Not yet, no official application process has opened.
Which sectors are involved?
Agriculture and fisheries.
Will Oman reopen visas more broadly?
Bangladesh is pushing for it, and this agreement is part of that broader effort.
